Garden in spring

We have returned to normal spring weather with a mix of wind, rain and sun.  So I thought it would be nice to post a few pictures of last month which inspired me to get out into the garden while it was lovely and hot!

Our Magnolia in full bloom - now the petals have dropped and the leaves are coming...

The last week of March has been like mid-summer with temperatures reaching 26c, which has been bliss.  The glorious weather has made the tidying-up much easier and we have all been beavering away.  Although it's very strange to have such temperatures this early in the year, it does mean that the garden preparatory jobs such as tidying and sowing seeds is done much earlier and so we can enjoy the garden for a little longer!

This is Snowy searching for worms!

When the weather is like this, the only tempting place for me is the garden centre in terms of retail.  I have stayed away from beautifully grown plants ready-to-buy and instead headed straight for the seeds and compost.  So far, the sweet peas and dahlias are beginning to emerge in the green house, tubs have been filled with summer flowering bulbs including freesias and irises, and I am slowly building up my collection of vegetables - which are mainly keeping warm in the greenhouse for now.

Two weeks later and back to colder temperatures and a wetter climate again!  Still, it's very good for the garden and despite the temperatures plummeting again, the colours of blossom and tulips are very warming.